Chair convertible to baby walker or rocker



Jan. 8, 1957 A. D. POTTER ET AL CHAIR CONVERTIBLE TO BABY WALKER OR ROCKER Filed Dec. 24, 1953 Fig.4

2 Sheets-Sheet l 36 Allen 0. Porter Howard Goldberg 26 INVENTORS BY MM 5M 8, 1957 A. D. POTTER ETAL 2,776,700

CHAIR CONVERTIBLE TO BABY WALKER OR ROCKER Filed Dec. 24, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Allen 0. Potter Howard Goldberg I N V EN TOR-9 w lm United States Patent CHAIR CONVERTIBLE TO BABY WALKER OR ROCKER Allen D. Potter and Howard Goldberg, Ellenville, N. Y.

Application December 24, 1953, Serial No. 400,278

2 Claims. (Cl. 155-22) This invention relates to a convertible article of furniture for children, and more particularly to an article of furniture which can be used as a straight chair, a rocking chair and as a support for children learning to walk.

An object of this invention is to provide a device of knock-down construction which can be easily converted into either a straight chair, rocking chair or walking support.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device which can be adjusted to accommodate children of various sizes.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device for use as a straight chair, rocking chair or walking support which is simple and efficient in construction and durable and lasting in use.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the device forming the subject of this invention used as a straight chair;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device forming the subject of this invention used as a rocking chair with the back board raised to accommodate a larger child;

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the device forming the subject of this invention;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the section line 4-4 of Figure 1; and

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the section line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Referring now more specifically to the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that the improved convertible article of furniture for children comprising the subject of this invention includes a pair of spaced vertical panels and 12. Each of the panels 10 and 12 is provided with a first straight edge 14, an opposite arcuate edge 16, a second straight edge 18 and an opposite witch-shaped edge 20. The panels 10 and 12 are positioned with the arcuate-shaped edges 16 in alignment and with the witchshaped edges 20 in alignment.

Each of the panels 10 and 12 is provided with a pair of intersecting dovetail grooves opening from one face thereof. The dovetail grooves on panel 10 open from the opposite face to the opening of the dovetail grooves on panel 12. Each of the panels is provided with a first dovetail groove 22 extending parallel to the straight edge 14 and closely adjacent thereto. The groove 22 extends from the straight edge 18 to the witch-shaped edge 20. A second dovetail groove 24 extends from the straight edge 14 toward the arcuate edge 16 and parallel to the Straight edge 18. The groove 24 is disposed midway between the straight edge 18 and the Witch-shaped edge 20 and terminates at a point spaced from the arcuate shaped edge 16.

A seat board 26 is adapted to be mounted between 2,776,700 Patented Jan; 8, 1957 2- the vertical 'panels 10 and 1-2; The seat board 26 is provided with dovetail extensions 28 at opposite side edges thereof which are adapted to be received in the grooves 24. The seat board 26 is of alength equal to the distance between the forward end of groove 24 and the intersection of groove 24 with groove 22. I

A back board 30 is provided with dovetail extensions 32 at opposite side edges thereof. The extensions 32 are adapted to be received in the slots 22 for positioning the back board between the vertical panels 10 and 12. The engagement of the dovetail extensions 28 and 32 with the slots 24 and 22, respectively, will lock the members in assembled position. When assembled, the rear edge of seat board 26 will abut against the forward face of the back board 30.

The back board 30 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending slots 34. These slots 34 are preferably positioned in pairs adjacent the edges extending between the dovetail projection 32. A roller 36 is positioned in each of the slots 34 and extends beyond the rear face of the back board 30 and beyond the straight edges of the vertical panels 10 and 12. A pin 38 extends longitudinally through the slots 34 adjacent the rear face of the back board 30 to rotatably mount the rollers 36. The rollers 36 do not extend from the slots 34 beyond the forward face of the back board 30.

The panels 10 and 12 are each provided with a pair of longitudinally extending apertures 40. The apertures 40 in each panel are positioned one adjacent the straight edge 18 and the other adjacent the witch-shaped edge 20. The apertures 40 extend parallel to these edges.

In practical use, the device is assembled by positioning the vertical panels 10 and 12 with the dovetail slots 22 and 24 therein facing each other. The seat board 26 is first inserted in the slots 24. Then, the back board 30 is placed in position in the slots 22. The back board 30 is frictionally held in position and may be adjusted to a desired height, depending upon the size of the child using the chair. When it is desired to use the device as a straight chair, the straight edges 18 are placed in position on the floor. When it is desired to use the device as a rocker, the witch-shaped edges 20 are placed on the floor. The device may also be used as an aid for children learning to walk by placing the back board 30 on the floor. Then, the child using the device may grip the same by means of the apertures 40 and push the device along the floor on the rollers 36.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A convertible article of furniture for children comprising a pair of spaced vertical panels, each of said panels being provided with a first straight edge and an opposite arcuate-shaped edge, a second straight edge transverse to said first straight edge, and an opposite witch-shaped edge, said panels being joined together by a back board extending parallel to said first straight edge and a seat board extending parallel to said second straight edge, said back board being provided with a plurality of longitudinal slots extending parallel to the edges thereof which extend longitudinally between the vertical panels, a roller disposed in each of said slots for rotation therein. said rollers extending from the face of said back board beyond said first straight edge.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said vertical panels are each provided with a pair of longitudinally extending apertures, one of said apertures on each panel being positioned parallel to and adjacent said second straight edge, the other of said apertures being positioned parallel to said first aperture and adjacent said witchshaped edge.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 144,404 Mabry Apr.9, 1946 10 4 Haley Oct. 27, 1908 Oshana Apr. 15, 1.919 Berns May 19, 1931 Mueller Oct. 26, 1943 Taylor Dec. 5, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS France July 29, 1929 

